"This whole operation was a bust! Anning County has lived up to its name—’Peace’—for years, but can we still call it peaceful now? Huh? Who’s going to protect *my* neck?"
Zhao Jiu was genuinely furious.
The leaders of the Central Yellow Sect, their guilt proven beyond a doubt, were served up to him on a silver platter.
All he had to do was take a few Skin Refining heads, convert them into official merits, and he could immediately petition Jiangyin Prefecture for a transfer. He could go back to the Prefecture City and become a prestigious Prefecture Official.
Then, he could return home in a blaze of glory. He’d have both the reputation and the real power to show off in front of all those idle rich kids from the great families.
Why would he need to stay in this miserable backwater, toiling away like a peasant?
Earlier, his self-proclaimed good brother, Ji Xiu, had paid him a visit. Wanting to appear magnanimous, Zhao Jiu had waved his hand and assigned half the Armored County Soldiers to him. He’d sent them to the Lin Residence to mop up some small fry who didn’t even have a Skin Refining Guardian.
Zhao Jiu had been confident that the experts he’d gathered from the Three Great Halls and the Three Major Professions would be enough to take down the Dragon Heads of the Three Great Gangs and all their lackeys in one fell swoop.
But who would have thought he wouldn’t catch a single big fish? All they’d managed to round up was a bunch of second-rate members who were just there to fill the ranks.
How could Zhao Jiu not be furious, watching the prize that was practically in his grasp just fly away?
Instructor Liao and the others from the Three Great Halls, along with the three Manor Masters including Lu Chengfeng, exchanged awkward glances.
Zhang Liechen, the "Mad Lion" of Lion Hall, and Xu Xin, "Cangying" of the Eagle Falcon Gang, were both slipperier than a bag of eels. By the time the magistrate’s forces arrived, they had vanished without a trace.
In the end, all they could do was sweep through the territories of the once-mighty Three Great Gangs that had dominated the Outer Ring Mountain Dao, ransacking their headquarters and seizing their assets before returning to report back.
Zhao Jiu’s rage was understandable. For a man so obsessed with his reputation, this operation had been a disaster. Not only had he failed to secure any achievements, but he had also left a lingering threat. Of course he was fuming.
At that moment...
TAP, TAP, TAP...
A crisp set of footsteps echoed. Zhao Jiu looked up to see Ji Xiu strolling in, his expression serene.
With a simple wave of his hand, two Armored Warriors stepped forward and presented three human heads.
"Magistrate Zhao, I borrowed fifty County Soldiers for this operation. We raided the Lin Residence, where I killed two Skin Refining Guardians in battle. I also dispatched Third Young Master Lin Du, who was plotting to take over the Lin Residence and use it to recruit new Central Yellow Believers."
"All three heads are here."
As soon as he spoke, the hall fell silent.
Zhao Jiu rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
’Two Skin Refining Guardians?’
’And a ringleader trying to spread their faith!’
He peered at them closely. They were indeed genuine Skin Refining experts. Furthermore, they had cultivated the secret scriptures of the Central Yellow Sect; their unique Qi Charm was unmistakable.
A wave of joy washed over him.
"My dear Little Brother Ji, you possess such incredible prowess!?"
’Good, good, good. At last, I have some real achievements to report...’
Even with fifty mechanical crossbows, Skin Refining Martial Artists weren’t pushovers. They couldn’t be killed that easily.
If the person leading the squad lacked real strength, it wasn’t impossible for the targets to risk everything for a decapitation strike and succeed!
At this thought, the look in Zhao Jiu’s eyes shifted. At the same time, his gaze swept over to the young woman standing beside Ji Xiu, and he was even more astonished.
’Isn’t that the most beloved granddaughter of Mr. Cai from the Jadeite Shop Cai Family?’
’What is she doing here?’
’Wait, are they really that close?’
’Wasn’t Master Cai Si of the Jadeite Shop cut down by this kid’s Master years ago? With such a deep blood feud between their families, how can this girl be so chummy with him, acting as if no one else is around?’
His gaze flickered past Old Liao from the Whale-Slaying Saber Hall, who was staring at the pair with the miserable look of someone forced to swallow a bitter pill in silence. In that instant, something clicked in Zhao Jiu’s mind.
’Damn it.’
’Another player of the game!’
’So this young lady of the Cai Family wants to bury the hatchet, does she? Show off her "discerning eye" by betting on a rising star. Is she waiting for the day Ji Xiu makes it to the Prefecture City, or for his Master Duan Chenzhou to get taken out by his enemies, so she can pull Little Brother Ji onto the grand ship of her Jadeite Shop Cai Family?’
He looked at the girl. With her slender neck, delicate wrists, and beautiful eyes that sparkled with every glance, she was indeed quite a beauty. Zhao Jiu drew a sharp breath.
’Heroes have always had a weakness for beautiful women.’
’Those who deal in jade and antiques certainly know how to cultivate a person’s charm.’
’Give her another couple of years, and she’ll be a match for any of the famed Eight Beauties of Jianghuai. She’s certainly a better asset than anything I, Zhao, have...’
’Crap, why couldn’t my family produce a daughter like that?’
The thought flashed through Zhao Jiu’s mind, and he turned to shoot a fierce glare at Cai Ling’er, leaving her utterly baffled.
’Why is that spoiled brat from the Wine Shop glaring at me?’
’He’s a whole generation older than me, and his Martial Artist foundation is barely better than mine... Hmph. These scions of the Thirty-Six Professions have had it too easy. Each generation is worse than the last.’
The contempt in the young woman’s beautiful eyes was plain as she had these thoughts.
Unaware that Cai Ling’er was mocking him, Zhao Jiu flew into a rage, assuming the girl was trying to intimidate him.
’Fine, you’re a ruthless one,’ he thought, ’Making a "bodily offering," sacrificing yourself to get in on the action and smooth over that old grudge, is that it?’
’Is that what Mr. Cai from the Jadeite Shop taught you??’
’Hmph!’
’You think that I, Lord Zhao the County Magistrate, have no leverage on my own turf?’
Zhao Jiu gritted his teeth. He thought about the assets he had just seized from the Three Great Gangs, and the authority they held over the surrounding Eighteen Linked Mountain Towns, including control over mountain goods, patrols, and hunting rights...
He declared, his voice full of indignation:
"There is a widely known saying in this County about its powers: ’Lion, Leopard, Eagle, and Falcon; Fist, Spear, Saber, and Sword; and the Three Major Professions.’"
"But I believe..."
"...that after this cleansing, it’s time to reshuffle the seats of power."
The moment he said this, everyone’s expression changed in shock.
Ji Xiu looked up as well.
The next moment, Zhao Jiu waved his hand grandly and boomed:
"The Lion, Leopard, Eagle, and Falcon gangs are nothing but Demon Fiends of the Outer Dao of Central Yellow, and their subordinates are a den of vipers! After this purge, I am reclaiming all the authority and trade routes they controlled! This includes their influence over the five-hundred-li stretch of the Mountain Dao outside Anning County and the Eighteen Linked Mountain Towns. I will take it all back and find a single individual to shoulder this great responsibility!"
At his words, everyone’s breath hitched for a moment.
The Three Great Gangs had been in charge of the trade of mountain goods across the Eighteen Linked Rings. They had made a fortune from that five-hundred-li stretch of the Mountain Dao.
You could say the three of them were the General Leaders of Anning County’s Mountain Town Hunting Manors, powerful and prestigious!
But now...
Zhao Jiu wanted to replace them?
Could a newcomer possibly handle such an immense fortune and lofty position?
Just as minds began to race with speculation, Zhao Jiu abruptly stood and strode over to Ji Xiu. He grasped both of Ji Xiu’s hands, his expression a mask of sincerity.
"Little Brother Ji, you possess both talent and integrity! You scored the greatest victory in our campaign to exterminate the Central Yellow Remnants. I’ve also heard that you’ve been venturing deep into the mountains alone, seeking resources for your Cultivation..."
"I believe that no matter what, the responsibility of acting as the Eighteen Road Chief for Anning’s peripheral Eighteen Linked Mountain Towns and Hunting Manors, a role once held by the Three Great Gangs..."
"...can belong to no one but you!"
The moment he said this.
The entire hall erupted in an uproar!
And Ji Xiu himself was dumbfounded.
But...
...it wasn’t Zhao Jiu’s generous offer that had stunned him. It was...
[The Tutor has obtained the position of Eighteen Road Chief of the Mountain Town Hunting Manors, covering the five-hundred-li Mountain Dao of Anning County. Progress for ’Mountain Search’ under the Mountain and Sea Search has increased!]
[Current Progress: 7% → 26%]
[’Mountain Search’ progress has surpassed the halfway mark. The Tutor’s ’Spiritual Sense’ Innate Talent has deepened. You can now survey terrain and seek out Earth Treasures!]
[The Tutor is comprehending a new Innate Talent...]